Recommendation? Frame locks that won't break the bank...

[b00n]

Boker Lateralus, either G10/Full Steel Frame.

 

[Lapedog]

I recently bought an amazing full Ti framelock with carbon fibre insert from a well known member here. If you search Katsu titanium framelock on google you can find it for just under 100$ on a certain site named after the largest river in South America.

It is an amazing knife for the price. I have no idea how they can sell it for so cheap. It is abit unconventional because it is a front flipper and is also a large knife with a 3.8inch blade. Still amazing full Ti framelock for under 100$.

Not my pics. (Thank you Gary)

Milled clip.

 

[KuduCuckoo]

Under $100, there's some interesting Ruike, Kizer, and Real Steel models. The ESEE Avispa or Zancudo

The Ruike P128 is the smoothest flipper I’ve used. It also has a backup lock that Ruike calls a Beta Plus, if you choose to use it. I also like my Zancudo. You could get both or even an Avispa and be well under budget.

 

[scottyj]

Like Joe said....either the Knockout, or the ZT 0566 would be a good choice.

 

[sharp_edge]

I would pay attention to the Exchange for a used ZT 0562 or a lnib ZT 0801.

 

[whitty]

Kershaw Knockout fits the bill. I like the version with the olive handles and black blade.

This is the recommendation I would have put out. Great knife and the favorite Kershaw of all the guys in our shop!

 

[Fire Beard]

OP, my vote goes 100% to the Viper Odino. Buy from Mike at CollectorKnives (a BF sponsored dealer) and you can get it in your budget with full TI, TI/CF or TI/G10. An excellent frame lock made in Maniago, Italy with great steel. Plus, it’s not a flipper (I’m personally tired of the flipper craze; nothing wrong with them but I prefer a more traditional one-handed opener).

 

[Kustom Kutz]

Real steel megalodon 2017 in m390. Can't beat it for the cost.

Edit nevermind. They were on sale earlier in the year between 125-160 but now there back to regular price. Still worth the regular price but above your budget.

I did get a Kizer t1 which you should look up reviews cause it's a good knife for the price. They go for 175 give or take but can find them for below 150 if you look.

ZT has some amazing framelocks.they are not the greatest slicers tho.

It’s on sale at bladehq for $150...I got one a month ago and love it. For the money hard to beat!

 

[115Italian]

Check out the real steel h6/h6 plus. Under $60. Solid knife. Has the looks of the zt 0562 and dpx hest. Its a good way to get your feet wet with a framelock.

 

[buffalo01]

View attachment 800000 View attachment 799999 Great recommendation Vel!
I’ve had one for quite a while now and have no complaints!
The lock is an interesting one, think they call it a sub frame lock.
Really good all around knife. Wish it had better steel, but for the price, great deal.
Joe

Dont own this knife but I have handled them and they feel great.

I dont like supporting chinese manufacturers BUT I think kizer has some options in that price range.
One that I have owned and REALLY liked, but do not own now because I narrowed down my collection to eliminate Chinese knives and foreign made knives in general (please dont scold me on this, I know how much Im missing TRUST ME, i have thought about breaking my pride several times) is the Coast knives fx 350. This thing is pretty sweet (I gave it to a friend) It has kind of a weird material on side but still pretty comfortable and they are TOUGH and cut great. I think they look awesome too, very strider like. Also they are only like $30 now at most.

I would definitely recommend a zt if you could find one on sale. They can get crazy low if a model is discontinued. I bought an 0804cf at a local store for $170 after tax, when they normally were going for $280 new. I have handles a lot of their knives and they all seem to be pretty solid. The emerson collabs were going around $160 and you still might be able to find one that a dealer hasn't gotten rid of yet.

 

[Icehawk]

I have a $5 Coast knife, seems priced about right, if you are o this whole "US only" trip I wouldn't break it for one of their knives.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I would post in the "Want to BUY" that I will pay up to $150 for a Spyderco Sage 2 in excellent to nib condition. I have probably owned at least eight of these knives and that model is as close to a perfect edc as one could ever ask for... Note that I have happily purchased 95% of my "many" folders on the EXCHANGE.
Tastes change; money gets tight; age changes needs and wants.